Posts tagged ‘Warning Sign’

With 2011 more that half way through, how is your business performing?

Here are twelve tips to act an aid-memoire when trying to stay in control of your business:

If you are not producing regular management accounts, consider what financial information can be easily extracted from your accounting system to help you monitor the business. You can only extract meaningful information if your records are up to date and accurate.

If you are selling a product, make sure you know your break even sales volume – this could be higher than you realise, particularly with pressure on prices. What level of waste are you experiencing? Are you carrying too much stock?

If selling a service, check how many hours of time you are invoicing out a month – how much of it is resulting in billable income? Are you charging at the right levels? Are you competitive without being cheap?

Revisit your business forecasts and cash flow projections for the coming 12 months on a regular basis – are they still realistic in the current climate? What costs can be trimmed back?

If cutting costs, make sure you know which of your costs are fixed and which are variable.

What can you delegate/outsource so that you can devote more of your time to looking after key clients and driving the busimess?

A big, bad debt can be disastrous for business, so make sure you monitor your debtors carefully. Keep in regular contact, resolve disputes quickly and discuss options at an early stage if they are having difficulties. A debtor making round sum payments on account is often a warning sign. Consider credit checking businesses that do not have any history with you.

Look after your purchase ledger with as much care as your sales ledger. Good suppliers are key to you being able to deliver to your customers, keeping prices down and an essential source of credit when managing cash flow.

Make sure you have up to date information to hand when requesting a renewal or increase in your banking facilities and keep your bank manager informed of changes to the business and its performance.

Check that the financial structure of your business is correct. If you are relying on short term finance for long term projects then you need to get the balance right. What assets do you have to secure more cost effective commercial finance?

Get your tax affairs up to date and make sure you have provided for payments due in January and July as well as Corporation Tax due nine months after the accounting period if trading through a Company. This is just as important if profitability has declined as you may be able to reduce any payments on account that fall due.

Check you are using the most effective VAT scheme. If you have a large sales ledger, cash accounting may be more appropriate. Have you calculated whether the flat rate scheme results in less VAT being paid over to HMRC?

The information provided in this blog illustrates my opinions and experiences, it does not constitute advice and I do not accept responsibility for any actions taken or refrained from as a result of reading this post.

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